Bomber Command Memorial Register

California Gap Z.8397 Memorial

California Gap, Norfolk

Complete Record
Confirmed location?

Photographs

12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
12 squadron wellington ii z839 california sands
12 squadron wellington ii z839 california sands, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 memorial plaque
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 memorial plaque, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
californian tavern
californian tavern, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
flsgt aldwyn anthony nordon 653750 raf grave
flsgt aldwyn anthony nordon 653750 raf grave, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
alfred e cosgrove w800 1
alfred e cosgrove w800 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered

Location

California Gap, Norfolk, Norfolk

what3words: ///thing.loyal.vines

Narrative

On the night of 10/11 October 1941, Wellington II Z8397 of 12 Squadron took off from RAF Binbrook at 23:52 to attack Cologne. Shortly after departure, the aircraft developed engine problems and the pilot decided to return. Unable to reach Binbrook, Sgt Tothill attempted a crash-landing on the beach at California Gap near Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, touching down at approximately 01:30. Some reports state that after coming to rest, the aircraft struck a mine on the beach which exploded, killing all six crew members. The memorial plaque on the California Tavern building commemorates these airmen.

Aircraft & Operation Details

12 Squadron badgeLeads the field
Aircraft Type
Wellington II
Serial Number
Z8397
Squadron
12 Squadron
Station
Binbrook
Date of Loss
1941-10-11
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Cologne (aborted — returned with engine trouble)
Cause of Loss
Engine problems after takeoff; crash-landed on beach; reportedly struck a mine after landing

Crew (6 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
SgtFrank Hugh Neville Tothill
927548
Pilot25BritishKilledMoggerhanger (St. John) ChurchyardCWGC
F/SgtJames Lennox Scott Dunlop
R/67572
2nd Pilot23CanadianKilledStevenson (New Street) Cemetery, Section M, North Extension, Grave 22-23CWGC
SgtAlfred Edward Cosgrove
968259
Observer20BritishKilledMoston St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Anthony Section, Grave 622CWGC
F/SgtAldwyn Anthony Nordon
653750
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner20BritishKilledBarnsley (Carlton) Cemetery, Section A, Grave 121CWGC
SgtRaymond Henry Todman
908659
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner21BritishKilledNot confirmedCWGC
SgtArthur Pilkington
917339
Air Gunner22BritishKilledScottow Cemetery, Grave 261CWGC

About the Crew

Sgt Frank Hugh Neville Tothill(age 25)Pilot

From Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire

Sgt Tothill was 25 years old, the son of Charity Wish Tothill of Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire.

Memorial Details

Type
Memorial plaque on California Tavern building

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Scratby and California Parish Council

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Mundesley & District Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Scratby and California Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

IWM records the memorial to the crew of Wellington Z8397 at California Gap, Norfolk. The memorial plaque is located on the California Tavern building.

IWM reference: memorial/101410Memorial plaque on California Tavern building

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

Nearby Memorials

Reedham (mid-air collision) 42-31370 Memorial
Reedham (mid-air collision), NorfolkB-17 42-37963 and B-17 42-313701944-02-21
14.5 km
away
Kirkley (Lowestoft) Halifax Memorial
Kirkley (Lowestoft), SuffolkHalifax1944-04-27
20.6 km
away
Kessingland "Repulser" Memorial
Kessingland, SuffolkB-24 Liberator 41-28843 "Repulser"1944-04-22
25.3 km
away
Bacton V-9097 Memorial
Bacton, NorfolkHudson V-90971942-01-16
28.5 km
away
Stoke Holy Cross Z.7304 Memorial
Stoke Holy Cross, NorfolkBlenheim Z.73041942-07-18
30.5 km
away

Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.

Suggest a correction or addition